AIN'T NO SAFER THAN THIS TRUCK.

CAROLINA WAS REGRETTING EVERY DECISION SHE EVER MADE as she looked at the flaming tornado. The factory had exploded, and all the flames were sucked up into the vortex, creating something out of nightmares.

"Oh, my god. Oh, my god!" Tyler exclaimed while putting it in reverse.

But Javi and Scott were still right in the path of the disastrous tornado. "Wait, wait, wait!" Kate shouted. "We can't just leave them!"

"We're not gonna leave them, but we've gotta move," Tyler promised. "We gotta move."

While fixing her harness, Carolina watched as heavy metal from the refinery went flying, smashing into Javi's truck. Though it damaged it even more, it at least knocked them right side up so that they could escape. And as soon as Javi was moving, Tyler was ready to go.

"Go, go, go, go, go!" Kate and Carolina shouted as if he wasn't already doing that.

"Hold on!" he said as he made a sharp turn, throwing them around. As they sped away, Tyler grabbed the radio. "Is everybody okay?"

"Yeah," Dexter sighed.

"We're okay," Ben reported.

Boone chimed in too. "Yeah, we're good, man. We're moving. Carolina?"

"I'm okay," she breathed out as he checked on her.

"Are you seeing this?" Lily asked, sounding both in awe and fearful.

The huge, almost black tornado was chasing them, the fire having died out. And then the path shifted, heading right for a town that they could see on the horizon. The sirens began blaring, hardly heard over the wind.

"Hey, guys," Kate said over the radio, "there's nothing we can do to stop it. But when you get there, make sure people get to a safe place."

"Alright, Dani. Where am I headed?" Boone asked.

"There's a - there's a kid's park on Main," Dani said, looking at a map. "Try to get people to basements, uh, big buildings. No windows. Stay way from windows. No cars, alright?"

"Alright, careful y'all," Lily instructed.

"Stay safe out there," Kate breathed out, scared that this would end up like five years ago. "Copy."

Tyler looked back at Carolina to check and make sure she was okay, only to see tears welling in her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to pull over and drag her to his lap to comfort her, but that wasn't an option.

On the way to the town, they passed Javi and Scott's truck, who didn't seem to be eager to follow them. It disappointed Carolina, but she knew he had a job to do. The three of them headed right for the main square, where some kind of art festival was being held.

People were running and screaming all over, trying to find safety. But some of the vendors were trying to hold down their tents and salvage their wares.

After getting out, Carolina looked around at the chaos, unsure of where to even start. Then a tent flew right at them, and Tyler grabbed her and pulled her down before it could hit her.

Dexter ran over to them, shouting over the wind. "Shelters are all full. We gotta get everyone into the movie theater."

"Where's Boone?" Carolina yelled, grabbing Dexter's shoulder.

"In the theater. Come on."

Carolina, Tyler, and Kate all separated, running off toward people. Carolina did her best to get people to leave, knocking on windows of cars to get them out. And when people tried to save their stuff, she just pushed them toward the nearby theater that was slowly filling up.

"Let's go!" she shouted as a woman picked up her little dog on a leash. "Come on!"

While catching her breath, she heard metal groaning and turned just in time to see a street car derailing. And much to her horror, it crashed into a structure near Tyler, pinning him under a sheet of metal.

"Tyler!" she shouted, running toward him.

He was screaming in pain, his leg trapped underneath the heavy metal. She took in a shaky breath and knelt beside him, trying to help.

"Okay," she said more to herself. Then she tried to lift the metal, getting nowhere with how heavy it was. She just wasn't strong enough.

Something flew through the air and crashed into the legs of the nearby water tower, causing one of the legs to tip over slowly.

"Watch out!" Tyler shouted as it fell, nearly hitting them. Carolina ducked down and covered her head before trying to lift the metal once again. "Baby, you gotta get inside! Get to Boone!"

"I'm not leaving you!" she yelled, continuing to try. "I won't leave you!"

She cried out as she again put all her weight underneath the metal, it not budging. But then suddenly, a wooden beam was slid underneath it. She turned her head, seeing Javi there. And Kate was right beside him, there to help her. She smiled weakly at Javi, so happy that he changed his mind.

"Come on, Care. Lift!"

Together, they managed to lift it the slightest bit, giving Tyler just enough room to slide his leg out. They helped him stand, and he kept his hand on Carolina's lower back, not wanting to lose her.

"Let's go. Let's go!" Javi yelled over the wind, grabbing Kate's hand.

Only for the water tower to crash and spill water everywhere, it washing them away. Carolina slipped around before getting to her feet, seeking out Tyler ones again.

"Let's go!" he yelled, dragging her along.

They headed inside of the theater, running to one of the screening rooms. It was full of terrified people, and the roof was caving in, pieces of it falling down. The building clearly wasn't meant to withstand what was coming for it.

Boone spotted her first and ran up to her, looking over her soaked form for injuries as he cupped her cheeks.

"I'm okay," she assured him, leaning into his touch.

"See if you can find a basement," Tyler told them.

"I'll check the other side," Javi said, running off.

As Tyler and Boone went one way, Kate and Carolina went behind the screen. They found a huge set of metal doors, hoping it led down to a storm shelter. But when they threw them open, they just led outside, where the storm was raging on.

The town was being destroyed before their eyes, and the tornado was headed right for them, the theater in its direct path.

"There's no basement on the other side," Javi said, joining them with Tyler and Boone.

"There's nothing over here either," Tyler said, shaking his head.

"This theater isn't built to withstand what's coming!" Javi shouted over the wind.

More of the roof collapsed, making people scream. So, the boys ran back to help in any way they could. Carolina turned to follow, but happened to check on Kate one more time.

Only to see her running outside — and she knew exactly what she was planning.

Carolina froze for a moment before she looked back in the theater. Tyler was ushering people to the back of the theater and Boone was covering Lily's head as more of the roof collapsed in.

She took in a shaky breath, knowing she had to make a choice. And Kate would always be the outcome no matter how many years they'd spent apart.

So, Carolina stopped thinking as she chased after her, both now heading for Tyler's truck, which was still standing. Kate, who didn't notice her sister, grabbed the handle to the front seat. Only to spot her sister running around to the other side.

"What are you doing?" Kate asked loudly. "Get back inside!"

"Ain't no safer than this truck!" she yelled back while climbing inside. "Now, come on!"

Kate managed a weak smile before nodding and getting inside. After both harnessed up, she hit the gas hard, driving out of town and toward the looming tornado.

The closer they got, it was harder to control the car even with the extra weight Tyler had. But Kate was determined. And Carolina, trying to drown out the terrifying sounds around them, turned on the radio, trying to be as fearless as Tyler and Boone. Metal debris was flying and power lines were sparking as they were torn apart, lighting up the storm that was only growing.

Once they were close enough and in its path, Kate slammed on the brakes. Then she reached for the button, lowering the anchors into the ground. Kate fired the rockets of iodide at the tornado, both watching as they were sucked up into the tornado.

Carolina hated that Boone was missing his precious rockets firing.

As Kate hovered her thumb over the button to uncover the barrels, Carolina looked out behind them, watching how the trailer wobbled.

"Now?" Carolina asked as the storm crept up on them.

"Now!" Kate agreed.

She pressed the button, only for nothing to happen. She swore and pressed it again and again. "Come on. Come on!"

Finally Carolina smacked the button, reminded Kate so much of Addy, and the lids flew off, the polymers being sucked up into the huge funnel. The clouds soaked it up immediately, just like they hoped.

Then a destroyed car slammed into them, knocking the trailer off. And Carolina could feel the anchors slipping in the soft, wet ground. They were going to be swept away — killed — and there was nothing they could do about it.

So, Kate let go of the wheel with shaky hands and looked at her sister with tears in her eyes.

"I love you, Care Bear," she said, trembling. "And I'm sorry I dragged you into this."

"I love you too, Katy Bear," she said, tears falling. "And this has been the best week of my life, so don't—"

Suddenly, the truck was uprooted and began rolling. Carolina screamed and shut her eyes tightly, being thrown around the cab that was being crushed with them inside. The windshield shattered, sending glass flying, and she cried out as glass dug into her skin.

They hit a hard ditch, and the truck lurched. Kate screamed as Carolina's harness gave out and she was thrown from the vehicle, her landing hard on the grass. And just when her body began to be dragged by the wind, it was all over.

Just like that, it was over.

Silence fell over them as the tornado disappeared, the rain stopping and the sun shining. But Carolina wasn't conscious to see the results of the experiment.

Despite his hurt leg, Tyler had never ran so fast in his life, tailed by Javi as they rushed toward the destroyed truck. Boone wasn't far behind.

Kate was crawling desperately out of the broken window, crying out. "Care! Carolina!"

Javi reached her first, and Tyler moved to help her out as Boone went around to the other side to get Carolina out as well. They could see blood seeping from Kate's head, but she was awake, which was what mattered.

"Kate, be careful," Javi said, not wanting her to cut herself on the glass.

Kate coughed before leaning against the side of the truck. "Care," she managed to say.

"Guys!" Boone exclaimed, the fear in his voice evident. "She ain't here!"

In an instant, Tyler ran around to the other side. And just as Boone said, the destroyed cab of the truck was empty.

"She was thrown," Kate said, coughing. "Gotta find her."

Boone and Tyler took off, and soon, they were joined by the rest of their crew as well. All of them ran around, shouting her name at the top of their lungs, looking for the girl that wasn't making a sound.

Finally, it was Ben who stumbled upon her. "I've found her!"

Boone and Tyler were the first to reach him, and Javi carried Kate over so that she could see her sister.

Carolina looked quite a state, covered in blood with her arm twisted in an odd direction. And at first glance, Tyler wasn't even sure she was alive. But her chest moved the slightest bit as she took a shallow breath, and relief filled him as Boone cupped her head gently, resting it on his knees.

"Darlin', wake up," Boone said, his throat thick with tears that were beginning to well in his eyes. "Wake up for me."

"Come on," Tyler said, grabbing her hand. "Come on, baby, please."

"Is she..." Kate couldn't even finish the thought as her chin wobbled, hating that her sister was hurt because of her. "Wake her up, Ty."

"I—" Tyler stopped himself, squeezing Carolina's hand. She didn't squeeze back. "I don't know if she is."

TWO WEEKS LATER

The first thing she heard was the steady beep of a heart monitor, which was kind of annoying. And even before opening her tired eyes, she felt something clunky around her left arm and the weight of someone lying on her right arm. Not to mention someone's body was sprawled out over her legs.

With a soft groan, she finally opened her eyes, a little blinded by the harsh light of the hospital room. That was where she was — the hospital, she quickly realized.

She skimmed the room, first seeing a blue cast on her arm that made her frown. But then she saw it was already full of names and doodles, which made her smile. Then she kept going, seeing that Tyler was lying across the unbroken arm, sound asleep. And Boone was at her feet, nearly his whole body draped over her.

And in a chair in the corner was Kate, who was flipping through the newspaper. But when Carolina cleared her throat, it got her attention.

"Hey," Kate whispered, instantly getting up and coming around to her side. "Hey, you're finally awake."

"Finally?" she asked, her throat sore from not being used. "How long I been like this?"

"You, uh, you missed finals week, Care," she told her. When Carolina's eyes went wide, she quickly shook her head. "Don't worry. Mama called the school and got everything sorted. Your standing grades are your final grades. And you're an A student."

Carolina let out a relived breath before smiling weakly. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yeah. You got the brute of it all," Kate told her. "Everyone's been worried sick about you. That YouTube channel of theirs has been having to do without them for the last two weeks."

After Kate nodded to Boone and Tyler, Carolina gazed at them. She didn't want to get in the way of their work, and yet she adored them even more for staying with her even though the chances of her actually waking up while they were in the room was slim.

"Where's Mama?" Carolina asked.

"In the cafeteria. It's lunchtime," she told her. "Want me to go get her?"

"Yeah. Maybe give me a few extra minutes with these ones though," she said, nodding to the boys.

"Good luck," Kate said, kissing her forehead softly, careful to avoid that stitches she had above her eyebrow from a deeper cut.

As Kate left, it was silent in the room for a moment. But then Carolina gently reached out for Tyler's face, which was scrunched up with worry even in his sleep. She gently grazed her fingertips over his cheek, watching how his eyelashes fluttered for a moment.

"Ty," she said gently, easing him awake.

When he roused enough to realize who was waking him, Tyler shot up quickly, his wide eyes taking in her eyes that were finally open after weeks.

"Carolina," he breathed out. Then he glanced over his shoulder and smacked Boone hard to wake him.

"Five more minutes," he groaned, making Carolina giggle. And at the sound of her laugh, he brightened up, looking at her in relief. "Baby!"

He rushed around to the other side of her hospital bed and cupped her cheeks, looking deep into her eyes. "What do you need? Water? The nurse? Some crackers?"

She grinned and covered his hands with her own. "I'm fine, baby. Hated to wake you, but I just wanted to see your smiling face."

His grin got even bigger as he leaned in, brushing his nose along her cheek. She closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.

"Don't ever scare us like that again, Carolina," Tyler spoke up, brushing his thumb back and forth on her shoulder.

She opened her eyes and looked back at him apologetically. "I'm sorry about your truck."

He scoffed and shook his head. "You know I don't care about that truck more than I care about you."

"Yeah, right," she laughed. "You love that truck."

Rather than reply, Tyler just gave her a look. One that had her stomach twisting as she read between the lines of what he wasn't saying out loud.

"Oh," she said in a small voice, suddenly feeling very anxious.

Her hair was in a braid done by Kate, but some of it had come undone, so Boone tucked a loose strand behind her ear and then pulled her gaze to him. His brown eyes were shining as he stared at her. "We won't say it if you ain't ready to hear it yet."

She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes for a moment. "When Kate and I drove into the storm, I was terrified. But not just because I thought I was gonna die. It was because I thought I was gonna die before I told you two that I love you." Then she turned her head, looking at Tyler. "Both of you. Even if maybe you don't feel like that about me."

The smile that made its way onto Tyler was slow as he processed her words. But then he was full on grinning before leaning down to kiss her.

Carolina smiled into it, their teeth bumping as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then when they parted, Tyler still leaned in to peck her lips once more.

"I love you too," he murmured, nose brushing hers. Then his eyes traveled to the side, his eyes sparkling. "And I think someone else has got something to add."

Carolina hadn't ever seen Boone look so radiant, happy tears welling in his eyes. 'Cause damn it, how was he so lucky, he thought, to be loved by the two people before him?

"I love you so goddamn much, Carolina," Boone told her. Then he cupped her cheeks and began kissing all over her face, making her laugh as he repeated it in between kisses. "I love you. I love you."

And finally, he kissed her where she wanted him most. Carolina melted against him as he kissed her back softly while Tyler brought her uninjured hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

Unfortunately, the longer Boone kissed her, the quicker the beeping on the heart monitor grew. Carolina could hear it and couldn't help but feel embarrassed by the proof of how much they affected her. It made Boone chuckle into the kiss before pulling back.

Tyler used his finger underneath her chin to face her toward him. "Don't worry, baby," he said, loving how red her cheeks were. "We ain't no better."

"That's for sure," Cathy said, standing in the doorway with Kate a step behind her. "These two have been pathetic since you got here."

Tyler frowned. "I wouldn't say pathetic—"

"Oh, I believe it," Carolina said with a smirk. "They're always been pathetic losers."

As Tyler scoffed, Boone just shrugged before kissing her quickly, smiling afterward. "Yeah, but we're your pathetic losers."

☁︎

[ this book ain't over! there will be one more closing smut chapter in a few days ]